yes and they are making a deal breaking run at Alphonso Soriano, going to trade for Adam Jones so they can right the wrongs of the mariners past, all tickets are free until the end of the year and the big unit is coming out of retirement.

It's a tough task to essentially play .666 ball the rest of the way, especially against teams in the hunt for the pennant, and considering if we hover around 7-10 games back in the AL West / Wildcard standings we are more likely to have some late-season rookie call-ups (which usually do not equate to more wins). But who knows. This season could have easily gone the way of the past few, where the word "playoffs" was only a fabled story we'd tell our kids of 2001, 1997, 1995. But seemingly now, we are taking on the shape of a ballclub with playoff berth potential, if not this season, then next. Assuming an infield of 2-Zunino, 3-Smoak, 4-Franklin, 5-Seager, 6-Miller, at the start of next season, that is one hell of a talent pool to build from.

"The problem with the internet is, that one can never trust the authenticity of a source." - Abraham Lincoln

Nice to see the M's bounce back from a big loss (albeit a series win) with a big win, instead of starting a losing streak. Against the Twins for three more games, the M's have a chance to make a run at .500. Which almost always ends in catastrophe (seriously, I don't think I've seen the M's make .500 late in the season since 2009, and then they lost 14 in a row to avoid the playoffs). Great to see Ackley get 3 hits in a game, as well, nevermind Smoak's actually super respectable line.

CPHawk wrote:What late season call ups? Maybe Walker, but most of them are already up in Seattle now.

I was listening to Z on Brock & Danny and he had lots of positive things to say about Abraham Almonte whom we aquired from the Yankees for Shawn Kelley. Depending on what happens with our outfield I could see him coming up towards the end of the year.

**edit** I was just reading up a little more on this guy and noticed this little tidbit Acquired by the Seattle Mariners from the New York Yankees for pitcher Shawn Kelley on Feb. 13, 2013. ... Signed by the Yankees as a non-drafted free agent on July 2, 2005 ... Compiled a 34-game hitting streak in 2011 ... also reached base safely in 36 consecutive games to finish the campaign ... Played 17 games in 2010 before undergoing surgery to repair a torn right labrum.

anyone with realistic expectations did not think they would make the playoffs, Zunino called a good game behind the plate also, that is an aspect of catching most people forget. Hopefully the replacements can keep the pitching staff on point

At least they got the split witn the Twinkies. Need to play .500 on this east coaster to have a chance at finishing the season at the same mark. A shame about Zunino but damn is Franklin looking like the real deal or what? I am am starting to feel a little bit of optimism on the future of this franchise. A little bit is all I'll allow myself at this point, but still....

Franklin is legit. Sorry Ackley - but there's a very good reason he is now a (gulp) center fielder. I had high hopes for Ackley coming out of college. Those hopes have since perished but oh so happy to have a legit MLB-caliber 2nd baseman on the club now (although Seager was just fine... had we found a decent 3B).

"The problem with the internet is, that one can never trust the authenticity of a source." - Abraham Lincoln

No! The proper phrase is "uncharted waters for the Mariners". Can't have one great nautical statement for a team called the Mariners and then follow it up with a non-nautical one!

On topic: I am very happy they STAYED THE COURSE and decided to BATTEN DOWN THE HATCHES against any criticism about keeping this team intact. I like watching this team for the first time in a long time, even if the record is middling.

_________________"The past is a foreign country: they do things differently there."---LP Hartley

I remember when the Mariners made history by losing a game in which they led by 12 runs with 3 innings to go. That game included a 5 run bottom of the 9th which forced extra innings, where they eventually lost. That loss was in 2001, and it would ironically be enough to cost them win #117.

I didn't think I'd ever see a bigger meltdown by a Mariners bullpen, but I think tonight takes the cake. They allowed 6 runs in the 9th, and it would have been at least a couple more had the final double been played out (it was in the air forever, and would have likely cleared the bases). There was just one out, too. Had Seattle led by 10, it's conceivable they might have lost even then. Stunning.

In fairness, I thought all three pitchers were getting squeezed horribly by the umpire, especially Medina who had a no-doubter strike 3 on the 2nd to last batter, who would later reach base. If the ump calls that strike, who knows how the rest of the game turns out. Seattle had a 1 run lead and would have just needed one more out to escape with the win. I'd bet that if the ump had called a better strike zone that inning, Seattle might have won comfortably. Wilhelmsen is so shaky that it doesn't take much for him to spiral out of control. He's kind of become the new Brandon Morrow as closer.

Isn't it so typically Mariners to play great for a couple weeks prior to the deadline, just to keep the team from trading away any of it's assets. And then to subsequently fall on it's face the minute the trade deadline passes.

I saw Chuck Armstrong today. I had to use every ounce of restraint to not walk up to him and scream uncontrollably.

I hate my baseball team. I look forward to the day it is sold to new ownership the same as I look forward to the Hawks winning a Super Bowl or he SuperSonics returning.

SeaTown81 wrote:Isn't it so typically Mariners to play great for a couple weeks prior to the deadline, just to keep the team from trading away any of it's assets. And then to subsequently fall on it's face the minute the trade deadline passes.

I hate my baseball team. I look forward to the day it is sold to new ownership the same as I look forward to the Hawks winning a Super Bowl or he SuperSonics returning.

Yup. Absolutely maddening. I dunno how Felix hasn't delivered a round of nutshots yet. He has to be getting sick of not getting any help. People at my work keep talking about firing Jack Z and starting all over. But nothing will matter until we get an ownership who cares about the team.

----------------------------"Plus I hate the seattle stadium the **** place is too loud, gave me a headache watchin the game." ~ Some 9er fan

SeaTown81 wrote:Isn't it so typically Mariners to play great for a couple weeks prior to the deadline, just to keep the team from trading away any of it's assets. And then to subsequently fall on it's face the minute the trade deadline passes.

I saw Chuck Armstrong today. I had to use every ounce of restraint to not walk up to him and scream uncontrollably.

I hate my baseball team. I look forward to the day it is sold to new ownership the same as I look forward to the Hawks winning a Super Bowl or he SuperSonics returning.

Being a Mariners fan has got to be one of the hardest fandoms in the world. Right up there with being a Browns fan, IMO. Totally agree.

SeaTown81 wrote:Isn't it so typically Mariners to play great for a couple weeks prior to the deadline, just to keep the team from trading away any of it's assets. And then to subsequently fall on it's face the minute the trade deadline passes.

I saw Chuck Armstrong today. I had to use every ounce of restraint to not walk up to him and scream uncontrollably.

I hate my baseball team. I look forward to the day it is sold to new ownership the same as I look forward to the Hawks winning a Super Bowl or he SuperSonics returning.

Being a Mariners fan has got to be one of the hardest fandoms in the world. Right up there with being a Browns fan, IMO. Totally agree.

I don't blame the ownership. Sure, they care about having a profitable franchise, but that is true for all but a select few team owners. It's not like they're purposefully fielding crap teams, and up until the end of the Bavasi era they had no problem shelling out enough dough to make sure the M's fielded a top 10 payroll. You don't do that if you don't care about wins. Their biggest downfall is hiring idiot GM's. They aren't alone there. Even great owners with great intentions succumb to that pitfall.

Bavasi ran this team into the dirt. Jack Z isn't nearly as bad, but it's getting clearer every day that he's a scout, not a GM. He's turned one of the MLB's worst farm systems into one of the MLB's best. Hopefully after this season Armstrong thanks him for that and then hires someone who can translate that minor league talent into major league wins.